The
Raccoons
Legacy
OUR STORY
It all began in Ottawa, where musician and storyteller Kevin Gillis set out to create something different — a show that mixed music, humour, and heart with a clear message about caring for the world around us.
Created by Kevin Gillis
The
Raccoons
Legacy
Over
500,000
Painted Cells
Featured in
8
Different Languages
Country of Origin
Canada
Release
1985-1992
Created, Directed & Produced
Kevin Gillis
Theme song sung by Lisa Lougheed
Run With Us
Directed / Produced by
Kevin Gillis
Series Release
1985-1991
Country of Origin
Canada
Release
1985-1992
Created, Directed & Produced
Kevin Gillis
Theme song sung by Lisa Lougheed
Run With Us
Meet the Raccoons
Celebrating 40 years
Bert is the show’s lively main protagonist — energetic, imaginative, and always up for an adventure. His boundless enthusiasm and endless curiosity often keep his friends on their toes. With a big imagination and confidence to match, Bert sees himself as a daring explorer and a master of many talents.
.png)
_edited.png)
Ralph Raccoon is the level-headed and responsible counterpart to Bert’s boundless energy. As the editor of the Evergreen Standard, he’s dedicated to keeping the forest informed — sometimes a bit too dedicated. Alongside his wife, Melissa, Ralph provides guidance, wisdom, and a steady home for Bert in their cozy Raccoondominium.
_edited.png)
Melissa Raccoon is warm, intelligent, and unafraid to speak her mind. While she began as the gentle voice of reason in the early specials, she quickly grew into a confident, assertive presence in the series. Whether keeping Ralph grounded or calling out Bert’s antics, Melissa brings balance, heart, and strength to the Raccoondominium.
Cyril Sneer is the Evergreen Forest’s shrewd and scheming tycoon, always chasing profit and power. Once a true villain, he softened over time — his plans became more comical than catastrophic. Beneath his tough exterior, Cyril shows glimpses of heart, especially as a devoted father to Cedric and a mentor with surprising wisdom.
Cedric Sneer is Bert’s loyal best friend and the bright, mild-mannered son of Cyril Sneer. Though quieter and more thoughtful than Bert, Cedric often finds himself caught between friendship and family loyalty. Over time, he’s grown from a timid bystander to a confident voice of reason — offering guidance not just to Bert, but even to his father when things get out of hand.
The Pigs — Cyril Sneer’s bumbling trio of employees — are loyal, clumsy, and endlessly entertaining. Often called One, Two, and Three, they follow Cyril’s every command with a chorus of “Yes sir, yes sir!” Despite their incompetence, they somehow manage to stay on the payroll. Over time, each Pig’s personality shines through: One takes charge, Two bounces with energy, and Three schemes with a slick charm all his own.
Schaeffer is the calm and dependable gray sheepdog of Evergreen Forest. Originally the pet of Dan, Tommy, and Julie, he bridges the human and raccoon worlds alongside Broo. While once a simple-minded character in the specials, Schaeffer grows into a thoughtful and steady presence, often offering a listening ear and quiet support to his friends at the Raccoondominium and beyond.
%20copy.png)
Broo is a sheepdog puppy who behaves like a real dog, not a human. Originally Sophia’s pet in the Lost Star world, he later joined Dan, Tommy, and Julie in Evergreen Forest. When the humans disappeared, Broo lived in the Raccoondominium with Bert, Ralph, and Melissa. He doesn’t speak English, so little is known about his personality, but he often follows Bert and Cedric and proves useful thanks to his small size.
Sophia Tutu is Cedric Sneer’s girlfriend in The Raccoons, appearing in the first three seasons, the last three specials, and the reboot. A student and part-time stewardess, she’s also a dedicated figure skater dreaming of Olympic gold.
Later in the series, we’re introduced to characters like Lady Baden-Baden, a hen from the Forest’s high society who spends most of her time organizing public events.
MR. Knox is an alligator with a New Orleans accent, introduced as a more cunning rival after Cyril became friendlier. He’s Lady Baden-Baden’s husband and Cyril’s toughest competitor in business.
Bentley Raccoon is the cousin of the Evergreen Raccoons. A tech-savvy youngster, he has all the typical traits—and flaws—of a curious, energetic kid.
Lisa Raccoon, voiced by the Raccoons’ musical contributor Lisa Lougheed, is Bentley’s older sister. More mature and thoughtful than Bentley, she’s also active and sporty—and at an age where she can experience love.
George and Nicole Raccoon are Lisa and Bentley’s parents, with Nicole speaking with a distinctive French accent.
MR. Willow runs a small corner store in the forest that surprisingly stocks everything from snacks and food to skateboards and Mudman comics.
%20copy%205.png)
Mr. Mammoth is another of Cyril’s fellow businessmen, who lets his feathered sidekick do most of the talking.
%20copy%206.png)
Professor Smedley-Smythe is the Forest’s scientist, typically appearing when there’s a science project or archaeological discovery. In one episode, we learn he also employs Lisa, who helps keep his books and files organized.
.png)
Meet the Creator Kevin Gillis
Learn about Storyboards, Animation & Character Development.
Dramedy
The Raccoons is an animated children’s television series that blends adventure, comedy, and environmental themes. It follows the adventures of Bert Raccoon and his friends as they navigate challenges in the Evergreen Forest, often confronting the schemes of the greedy businessman Cyril Sneer, while promoting messages of friendship, teamwork, and conservation.
Kevin Gillis
Kevin Gillis is a Canadian television creator, director, and producer best known for developing The Raccoons franchise. With a career spanning music, TV, and animation, Gillis brought his vision to life by combining engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and meaningful messages. His work has left a lasting mark on children’s entertainment, blending humor, adventure, and heart in every project.
Rich Little & Geoffrey Winter
The Raccoons series features narration by two talented voices. Rich Little narrated the first three specials, bringing warmth and charm to the story. For the main series, Geoffrey Winter took over, providing a lively and engaging voice that guided viewers through the adventures in Evergreen Forest.
Raccoons Cast Members
Key cast members include Len Carlson, Bob Dermer, Carl Banas, Michael Magee, Linda Feige (Season 1), Susan Roman (Seasons 2–5), Marvin Goldhar, Fred Little (Specials 1–3), Sharon Lewis, Nick Nichols, Keith Hampshire (Season 5), Lisa Lougheed (Seasons 4–5), Noam Zylberman, and Stuart Stone (Season 5).
Our History Timeline
Learn about our origins and history throughout our 40 years
The Raccoons Fan Art
We love seeing how much The Raccoons inspires creativity! From colourful drawings and digital designs to crafts and animations, our fans bring Evergreen Forest to life in incredible ways. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, we welcome your artistic contributions; your work helps keep the spirit of Bert, Ralph, Melissa, and the whole gang alive!
Raccoons Fan Art
Run with Us Cover Music
Fans of The Raccoons are keeping the magic alive by creating music videos to the beloved song 'Run With Us' originally sung by Lisa Lougheed. Their creativity and passion celebrate the show’s lasting charm and bring a new energy to a classic favorite.
.jpg)
The Raccoons Book Series
Bring the magic of Evergreen Forest home with our official Raccoons books! Featuring stories inspired by the series, these books are perfect for fans of all ages.
Published by Candy Jar Books, an award-winning independent publisher known for children’s books, cult TV tie-ins, and fresh takes on classic genres, these titles continue to celebrate the world of The Raccoons.